Laterally stabilized stepladder

ABSTRACT

A foldable stepladder having stabilizer structure as a part thereof to provide the stepladder with lateral stability. The stepladder may be a generally conventional stepladder foldable between open and closed positions and equipped along the sides thereof with stabilizer components that are laterally movable between inner retracted and outer extended positions, and operative in the latter positions thereof to inhibit lateral tipping of the stepladder in each direction. The movable stabilizer components are elongated support legs pivotally connected with the stepladder adjacent the upper end thereof, and selectively movable between inner retracted positions in which they are held by retainer structure in general juxtaposition with the side edges of the ladder and outer positions in which they are constrained by tie structure that prevents movement of the support legs in both lateral and transverse directions. The movable support legs are also adjustable in length to accommodate irregular surfaces, and they may be used individually or together so as to permit the ladder to accommodate any particular environmental conditions during use thereof.

United States Patent [191 Olsen Jan. 22, 1974- LATERALLY STABILIZED STEPLADDER [76] Inventor: Paul J. Olsen, 19511 Almaden Rd.,

San Jose, Calif. 95120 [22] Filed: Feb. 25, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 229,438

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 159,115, July 2,

1971, abandoned [52] US. Cl. 182/172 [51] Int. Cl. E06c 1/22 [58] Field of Search 182/172 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,364,048 12/1944 Barkeyml 182/172 3,508,628 4/1970 Conrad 182/172 1,102,428 7/1914 Newman et al 182/172 1,135,336 4/1915 Van Houten 182/172 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATICNS 13,898 10/1886 Great Britain 182/172 Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. Machado [5 7] ABSTRACT A foldable stepladder having stabilizer structure as a part thereof to provide the stepladder with lateral stability. The stepladder may be a generally conventional stepladder foldable between open and closed positions and equipped along the sides thereof with stabilizer components that are laterally movable between inner retracted and outer extended positions, and operative in the latter positions thereof to inhibit lateral tipping of the stepladder in each direction. The movable stabilizer components are elongated support legs pivotally connected with the stepladder adjacent the upper end thereof, and selectively movable between inner retracted positions in which they are held by retainer structure in general juxtaposition with the side edges of the ladder and outer positions in which they are constrained by tie structure that prevents movement of the support legs in both lateral and transverse directions. The movable support legs are also adjustable in length to accommodate irregular surfaces, and they may be used individually or together so as to permit the ladder to accommodate any particular environmental conditions during use thereof.

5 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures 'cfrsssoo PAFEHTEB JAN 2 2 I974 snzznur lNV ENTOR:

PAUL J. OLSEN PATENTEB JAN 2 2 I974 FIG.7

INVENTORI PAUL J. OLSEN PAIEMEB M 3.786.900

SHEET 3 0F 3 FIG. 9

leou FIG. IO FIG. II

LATERALLY STABILIZED STEPLADDER RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending patent application Ser. No. 159,1 l5, filed July 2, 1971 and now abandoned.

DISCLOSURE This invention relates to ladders and, more particularly, to foldable stepladders which are opened for use and closed to facilitate portability thereof from one location to another.

Stepladders of the type in which the present invention resides are old and well known, almost every household having at least one such ladder to enable places otherwise inaccessible because of their height to be reached. While ladders of this type are very useful and are also convenient to store and carry because of the foldability thereof, they do suffer the disadvantage of being somewhat unstable, tending to tip laterally if a lateral force is applied thereto generally above the center of gravity of the ladder, as for example, by one standing on the ladder stretching outwardly therefrom, thereby causing a weight imbalance that results in a torque or moment being applied to the ladder about one side thereof at its point of engagement with the floor or other support surface.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved stepladder of the type considered which includes stabilizer structure operative to inhibit such lateral tipping of the stepladder by increasing the lateral spread or spacing thereof.

Additional objects, among others, of the present invention are in the provision of an improved foldable step-ladder of the character described in which the stabilizer structure is selectively usuable so that the ladder can be employed in the ordinary manner, should this be desired; in which the stabilizer structure has components along each side of the ladder that are separately usuable so that the ladder can be used in close proximity to a wall or the like along one side and yet be provided with lateral stability along the opposite side to inhibit lateral tipping in that direction; in which the stabilizer structure includes a pair of support legs respectively disposed along opposite sides of the ladder and each movable between an inner retracted position in which it is held in substantial juxtaposition with side elements of the ladder by retainer structure, and an outer extended position in which it is constrained against both lateral and transverse displacements by tie structure carried for the most part within the dimensional limits of the ladder so as not to interfere or restrict use thereof; in which the support legs of the stabilizer structure are adjustable in length to enable them to accommodate irregular or uneven terrain or othe support surfaces; and in which the stabilizer structure is relatively inexpensive to provide, is simple and easy to use, is positive in its function, and does not significantly interefere with ordinary storage and use of the ladder.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention, especially as concerns particular features and characteristics thereof, will become apparent as the specification continues.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the stepladder embodying the invention, the ladder being shown in the open position of use;

FIG. 2 is a broken vertical sectional view taken generally along the plane 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a broken vertical sectional view taken generally along the plane 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a broken perspective view of the tie structure looking upwardly and toward the left as the ladder is illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view in elevation of the ladder in the folded condition thereof;

FIG. 6 is a front view in elevation of the ladder in the position of use thereof with one of the stabilizer structures in its outer operative position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, broken side view in elevation of the upper end portion of the ladder as illustrated in FIG. 6, the view being taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, broken front view in elevation taken generally along the plane 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, broken front view in elevation, similar to that of FIG. 6, of a modified stepladder;

FIG. 10 is a further enlarged, broken vertical sectional view taken along the line 1010 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a similarly enlarged broken vertical sectional view taken along the line llll of FIG. 9.

The foldable stepladder illustrated in the drawings is denoted in its entirety with the numeral 10, and in terms of its general structure and function it is to a considerable extent conventional and can be opened for use, as shown best in FIGS. 1 and 6, and folded for storage, as shown in FIG. 5. However, as heretofore indicated, the stepladder l0 departs from conventionality in that it includes stabilizer structure operative to inhibit lateral tipping of the ladder or tendency thereof to overturn in either of the two lateral directions. In this respect, the ladder 10 includes stabilizer components disposed along each side thereof and such components are selectively usable in the alternative or in combination depending upon the requirement for stability for any particular use of the ladder.

Concerning its general structure, the stepladder 10 includes a step-equipped main frame element 11 comprising a pair of laterally spaced, elongated and longitudinally extending rails 12a and 12b which are inclined with respect to each other and converge upwardly from the widely-shaped lower ends thereof which are equipped with feet 14a and 14b adapted to stand upon a floor or other support surface. Each of the rails 12 may be a generally U-shaped channel in cross section, and the rails support at spaced intervals therealong a plurality of steps 15 which may be welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the rails, all depending upon the particular construction of the ladder and materials from which it is made. Adjacent their upper ends, the rails 12 are riveted or otherwise fixedly secured to a top step or platform 16. As is usual in ladders of this type, the lowermost step 15 which is by far the widest, is reinforced by braces 17a and 17b that are angularly disposed and extend between the under side of such lowermost step and the respectively associated rails 12.

The stepladder 10 further includes a brace-equipped supporting frame element 18 comprising a pair of laterally spaced rails 19a and 19b that are respectively equipped at their lower ends with feet 20a and 20b that are adapted to stand upon the aforementioned support surface. The rails 19 are widely spaced at their lower ends and converge upwardly, and at their upper ends are pivotally secured to the platform 16 by pivot pins 21. The rails 19 may be generally L-shaped channels, and they support at spaced apart intervals therealong a plurality of laterally disposed braces 22, there being three in number in the particular ladder under consideration. It will be apparent that the frame elements 11 and 18 are pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper end portions for transverse swinging movements between a closed position of storage in which the frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof, as shown in FIG. 5, and an open position of use in which the lower foot-equipped ends of the frame elements are spaced apart transversely, as shown in FIG. 1.

The ladder 10 further includes hinged stop structure operatively connected with the frame elements 11 and 18 intermediate their ends so as to establish the maximum open position thereof, as shown in FIG. 1. Such hinged stop structure is provided along each side of the ladder and is respectively denoted with the numerals 24a and 24b. The stop structures 24 respectively include arms or brackets 25 and 26 pivotally secured, respectively, to the rails 12 and 19 of the frame elements 11 and 18. The arms 25 and 26 of each stop structure 24 are also pivotally secured to each other and, in the particular stepladder 10 being considered, such pivotal interconnection is defined by a laterally disposed pin or rod 27 extending between the laterally spaced stop structures 24 and connecting with each so as to establish the pivotal interconnection of the arms 25 and 26 thereof.

As is usual in foldable ladders of this type, the stop structures 24 have a slightly over-center latch arrangement that constrains the stop structure in the open or unfolded condition thereof shown in FIG. I in which the arms 25 and 26 are in general alignment so as to lock the frame elements I l and 18 of the ladder in their open position. Referring to FIG. 3 in particular, each of the arms 25 may be provided with a notch or recess 28 adapted to seat therein a pin 29 carried by the arm 24. Cooperative engagement of the pins 29 in the recesses 28 constrains the arms 25 and 26 against relative downward movement beyond the slightly over-center condition illustrated in FIG. 3, but enables the arms to pivot upwardly into the positions shown in FIG. when the ladder is closed.

The aforementioned stabilizer structure is operative to inhibit lateral tipping of the stepladde-r It and it includes a pair of components 30a and 30b respectively disposed along opposite sides of the frame elements 11 and 18, as shown best in FIGS. 1 and 6. Each of the movable stabilizer components 30 is an elongated longitudinally extendingsupport leg pivotally related to the frame elements adjacent the upper end portions thereof for lateral movement between inner retracted and outer extended positions respectively illustrated in FIG. 6 by the positions of the components 30b and 300. As concerns such pivotal interconnection of the components 30 with the frame elements 11 and 18, each of the leg components (see FIGS. 7 and 8 in particular) is supported by a pivot pin 31 that extends through the leg at the upper end thereof and through the spaced legs of the bifurcated or U-shaped clevis 32 which is pivotally secured to the platform 16 by a pivot pin 34. Accordingly, each leg component 30 is angularly displaceable in lateral directions about the axis of the associated pin 31, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 8, and is also pivotally displaceable in transverse directions about the axis of the associated pin 34, as depicted by the arrows in FIG. 7.

At its lower end, each of the support legs is equipped with an antifriction pad or foot that is adapted to seat upon the floor or other support surface upon which the ladder 10 is standing. In this reference, each of the support legs 30 is somewhat shorter than the frame elements 15 and 18 and especially the rails 12 and 19 thereof, as shown most clearly in FIG. 5. Accordingly, when the ladder 10 is folded, the support legs 30 are remote from such support surface, but when the ladder is opened and the support legs displaced into the extended positions thereof, the feet 35 thereof are adapted to engage such support surface, as shown in FIG. 6 by the support leg 30a. In this respect, it may be noted that the support leg is located essentially intermediate the frame elements 11 and 18 at the time that it engages such support surface, and therefore such legs when in the outer operative positions thereof are disposed along the plane located generally intermediate the frame elements and having a generally vertically orientation.

Means are included in the stepladder 10 for releasably constraining the movable support legs 30 in the inner and outer positions thereof. More Particularly, such means includes retainer structures 36a and 36b for securing the respectively associated legs in their inner retracted positions and more specifically, to one of the frame elements. As indicated best in FIG. 1, the retainer structures 36 are generally U-shaped spring clips secured to the rails 12 of the frame elements 11 and adapted to releasably grip the legs 30. Accordingly, when the support legs 30 are not in use, they lie along the rails 12 and are held in substantial juxtaposition therewith by the spring clip retainers 36.

Such means for releasably constrainingthe movable legs 30 further includes tie structure connected with the frame elements 11 and 18 and releasably engageable with the support legs when in their outer extended positions to constrain the same against both lateral and transverse displacements. The tie structure, as seen most clearly in FIG. 4, includes a depending bracket or support 37 welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the rod 27 at substantially the midpoint thereof intermediate the stop structures 24a and 24b. Adjacent its lower end, the bracket 37 pivotally supports by means of a pin 38 a pair of latch arms 39a and 39b that are pivotally displaceable or swingable about the axis of the pin 38 between a depending position in which they are in general alginment with the bracket 37 and outwardly extending positions in which they interconnected with the respectively associated support legs 30a and 30b, as indicated in FIG. 2.

For this purpose, the latch arms 39 are respectively provided at the outer ends thereof with notches or recesses 40a and 40b adapted to seat therein latch pins 410 and 41b provided by the support legs 30a and 30b, as illustrated best in FIGS. 2 and 7. It will be appreciated that the pins 41 are advantageously fixed with respect to the legs 30 and they may be equipped with enlargements in the form of washers, as shown in FIG. 7, so as to facilitate latching interconnection of the latch arms 39 therewith. The latch arms may also be dimensioned so that they clear the support surface for the ladder when it is opened and in use without the stabilizer structure being employed, as indicated in FIG. 2, although arrangements can be incorporated in the ladder for holding the latch arms in inoperative position when not in use.

The tie structure further includes an operating lever 42 pivotally secured adjacent the upper end thereof by a hinge 44 to the depending bracket 37. Adjacent its lower end, the lever 42 is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to a crossbar 45 extending between the rails 19 of the frame element 18 and fixedly attached thereto. The interconnection defined between the depending bracket 37 and frame element 18 by the lever 42 and rod 45 permits the bracket 37 and latch arms 39 secured thereto to be displaced upwardly with the stop structure 24 when the ladder 10 is folded into the closed position thereof, and it also permits the bracket 37 and arms 39 to be displaced downwardly with the stop structures 24 when the ladder is opened. The tie structure also includes along each side of the ladder a pair of braces 46 and 47 which at their outer ends are pivotally secured, respectively, to the rails l2 and 19 of the frame elements ll. and 18. At their inner ends, the braces 46 and 47 are pivotally secured to each other by a pin 49, and the brace 46 is provided with a notch or recess 50 adapted to fit downwardly upon and seat the associated lever arm 39 therein, as shown best in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. It will be apparent that when the latch arms 39 are connected with the support legs 30 and the braces 46 and 47 are locked upon the respectively associated latch arms 39, as shown in FIG. 1, the support legs are constrained against both lateral and transverse displacements relative to the frame elements.

The ladder 10 may be used in a completely conventional manner, should this be desired, in which event each of the support legs 30 is secured along the respectively associated rails 12 of the frame element ll by being gripped within the retainer structure 36, as shown in FIG. 5 and also as illustrated in FIG. 6 by the support 30b. During such ordinary use of the stepladder, the tie structure simply remains supported intermediate the frame elements ll and 18 and move with the stop structures 24a and 2411 between the folded and unfolded positions thereof respectively illustrated in FIGS. 5 and l.

In the event that it is desired to provide lateral stability forthe stepladder 10 in each direction, the two support legs 30 are released from the retainer structures 36 and are swung outwardly into the intermediate positions illustrated in FIG. 1 as respects the frame elements 11 and 18. The support legs 34B are then locked in such intermediate position in which the feet 35 thereof are in substantial engagement with the support surface upon which the ladder is standing by swinging the latch arms 39 upwardly and outwardly to seat the latch pins 41 within the recesses 49, and to seat the latch arms within the recesses 50 of the brackets 46. At this time, then, each of the support legs 3% is constrained by the tie structure against both lateral and transverse displacements relative to the frame elements 11 and 18. Accordingly, the stepladder M has considerable lateral stability because of the wide spacing defined between the foot-equipped lower ends of the support legs 30 which, at this time, are in substantial engagement with the support surface for the ladder.

In the event that the ladder is to be used in close proximity with a wall or other upwardly extending device so that it is impracticable to use both of the support legs 30, theunobstructed leg can be used and the other remain fixed in its retracted inner position by the retainer 36, as is illustrated in FIG. 6 in which the leg 3490 is in its outer stability-rendering position and the leg 30b is in its inoperative retracted position. For this configuration of the stepladder, the leg 30 that is to be used is connected with its associated latch arm 39 in the manner previously described.

After use of one or both of the support legs 30, they are returned to their retracted positions in engagement with the respectively associated retainers 36 by first releasing the latch arms 39 from the latch pins 41, whereupon the latch arms return to the inner positions thereof in substantial parallelism with the bracket 37, and the legs 30 are then free to be swung inwardly in the lateral direction and then transversely to align the same with the rails 12 for insertion into the retainers 36. The stepladder is then manipulated in the usual manner by displacing the stop structures 24 upwardly to enable the frame elements 11 and 18 to be swung inwardly into the closed position shown in FIG. 5. It may be noted that the braces 46 and 47 have a slightly upwardly and inwardly disposed configuration when the frame elements 11 and 18 are in their maximum open position so that the braces do not interfere with nor require individual manipulation and attention in moving the frame elements between the open and closed positions thereof.

A modified foldable stepladder is illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 11, and it departs from the stepladder 10 heretofore described in detail in two respects: first, that the legs of the stabilizer structure are selectively variable in length; and second, that a stop or abutment is included as part of the bracket 37 of the stepladder 10 which permits the latch arms 39 thereof to be lengthened, thereby enabling the spread or stance of the stabilizer legs to be increased. Otherwise, the modified stepladder of FIGS. 9 through 11 corresponds both structurally and functionally with the stepladder l0 and, for this reason, the same numerals are employed with the modified stepladder to identify components and elements respectively corresponding to those present in the stepladder 10 except that the order of such numerals are raised to the series.

Thus, the modified stepladder is denoted in its entirety with the numeral 110, and it includes a stepequipped main frame element 111 having all of the structural components and elements associated therewith which have been previously described in detail in association with the stepladder 10. Similarly, the stepladder includes a brace-equipped supporting frame element having lateral disposed braces 122 associated therewith, hinged stop structure operatively connected with the main frame element and supporting frame element, and the aforementiond stabilizer structure modified in the manner suggested and particularly constituting stabilizer legs that are adjustable with respect to their longitudinal length.

Accordingly, the stabilizer legs, which are respectively denoted with the numerals a and 130b, are hollow members (which is also shown in FIG. 7) and telescopically mounted therein for longitudinal displacements with respect thereto are inserts or leg extensions 160a and 160b, respectively. These legs extensions are equipped with feet l35a and b in the manner previously explained with reference to the foldable stepladder 10, but the feet 135 shown are of the selfleveling type, thereby affording a firmer and more stable engagement of the legs with the support surface therefor. The leg extensions 160a shown in FIGS. 9

through 11 are elongated elements extending for a substantial distance into the hollow legs 130, and means are included for locking the extensions in selected positions of adjustment with respect to the legs.

In this reference, the legs 130a and 1330b are respectively provided with elongated longitudinally extending slots or channels 161a and 161b, and extending through such slots are threaded studs 162a and 162b, respectively, as shown best in FIG. 10. The studs 162 at their inner ends are fixedly secured to the leg extensions 160 and, in the particular form shown, are threadedly received within tapped openings provided therefor in the leg extensions. The studs project outwardly through the slots 161 andd are equipped at their outer end portions with fasteners in the form of wing nuts 163 that are adapted to be tightened against washers 164 interposed between the respectively associated wing nuts and underlying surface of the associated leg 13%. Accordingly, the leg extensions 160 may be moved freely in longitudinal directions within the limits defined by the slots 161 whenever the wing nuts 163 are loosened, and the leg extensions may be fixedly confined in any position of adjustment with respect to the associated legs 130 by tightening the wing nuts 163a so as to cause the same to bear tightly against the underlying washer 164 which in turn bears frictionally against the under-lying surface area of the leg 13%.

As illustrated best in FIG. 11, the pins 141a and 1411) that cooperate with the arms 139a and 13%; to fixedly locate the respectively associated legs 130a and 13012 whenever such legs are in the outer extended positions thereof, as shown by the leg 130a and arm 13% in FIG. 9, project entirely through the legs in the particular form shown. The pins 141 may have a stepped configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 11, so as to positively locate the same in a transverse sense with respect to the associated leg 130 and be threaded to receive a confinlug nut thereon. In any event, when extending entirely through the associated leg 1 30 provision must be made within the leg extension 160 cooperative therewith to accommodate such pin. Such accommodation may take a variety of forms including slots or channels formed within each leg extension 1611, and in the structure being considered, each leg 160 is provided with an elongated recess 165 that freely passes the associated pin 141 therethrough and permits the leg extension to be displaced longitudinally within the associated leg 130. Each recess 165 may be longer than the slot 161 in which case the length of the slot determines the extent to which the leg extension can be displaced within the leg 130, it may be shorter than the slot in which the event the length of the recess then defines the maximum displacement of the leg extension, or each slot may approximate the length of the associated slots 161 so that both the recess and slot effectively establish the maximum permissible displacement of the leg extensions 160. It will be evident that the pins 141 may be welded or otherwise secured to the legs 130 along the outer surface thereof and not, therefore, project through such legs in which event the leg extension 160 would not need to be recessed for purposes of pin accommodation.

It will be appreciated that the wider the stance or spread of the stabilizer legs 131) the more firmly the ladder will be supported against lateral tipping. Accordingly, it is generally desirable to have the arms 139 as long as practicable so that the legs 1311 can be spread a substantial distance from the rails 112 of the ladder. A general limitation as to the length of the arms 139 is that they should clear the ground or other support surface when the ladder is folded for storage and transport and also when the ladder is spread or unfolded for use and the stabilizer legs are not employed. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9, the permissible lengths of the arms 139 are increased by inclusion of a stop or abutment 166 adjacent the lower end portion of the bracket 137 which limits downward and inward displacements of the arms 139, as shown by the arm 139b in FIG. 9 which is in engagement with the stop 166. Thus, each arm 139 may be slightly longer than would be permissible in the absence of the pin 166 in which event the arms would then extend downwardly in generally parallel alignment with the bracket 137 and therefore engagethe support surface upon which the ladder is resting and thereby interfere with normal and ordinary use thereof.

It will be appreciated that the leg extensions 160 permit the effective length of each stabilizer leg to be increased and decreased as necessary to accommodate either depressions or elevations in a support surface which otherwise negate the function intended for the stabilizer legs. In FIG. 9, the leg extension 160a is shown in full lines in supporting engagement with a surface that is generally uniform or level, and it is shown in broken lines in association with an irregular surface having a depression at the location to be' engaged by the foot 135a. Thus, in order to accommodate such a depression, the wing nut 163a is loosened, the leg extension 160a moved downwardly to bring it into firm engagement with the support surface, and the wing nut then tightened to fixedly locate the extension 160a with respect to the hollow leg a. Similarly, in the event of a bump or elevation along the support surface, the nut 163a is loosened and the extension 160a moved inwardly into the leg 130a until the foot a can rest firmly upon the bump whereupon the nut 163a is tightened to fixedly locate the extension with respect to the leg. The leg 130k and its extension b function in the same manner, and as previously explained one or the other, both, or neither of the legs 130a and 1301; can be used as dictated by any particular job.

While in the foregoing specification embodiments of the invention have been set forth in considerable detail for purposes of making a complete disclosure thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

What is claimed is: I i

1. A foldable stepladder of the like, comprising a step-equipped main frame element and a braceequipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower end to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position of storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof, and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one component movable laterally between inner retracted and outer extended positions and being operative in the latter position thereof to inhibit lateral tipping of said stepladder; said stabilizer structure having a pair of the aforesaid components respectively disposed along the opposite sides of said frame elements and each being movable laterally between inner retracted and outer extended positions and being operative in the latter positions thereof to inhibit lateral tipping of said stepladder in each lateral direction; each of said movable components comprising a support leg pivotally related to said frame elements adjacent the upper end portions thereof both for lateral movement as aforesaid and for transverse swinging movement to position the leg along a plane located generally intermediate said frame elements in the open position thereof; means associated with each of said legs for releasably constraining the same in the inner and outer positions thereof; said means for constraining said movable legs including a pair of retainer structures respectively associated with said legs for securing the same in the retracted positions thereof to one of said frame elements, and further including tie structure connected with said frame elements and having members releasably engageable with said support legs in the outer positions thereof to constrain the same against both transverse and lateral displacements; and said tie structure also including a depending bracket located intermediate said frame elements and pivotally carried by said hinged stop structure; a pair of arms pivotally supported by said depending bracket and respectively engageable with said legs in the outer positions thereof to constrain the same as aforesaid; and said tie structure further including a pair of hinged braces respectively disposed along opposite sides of said frame elements and being pivotally secured thereto and cooperatively engageable with the respectively associated arms in the active positions thereof in which they are in engagement with said legs.

2. The stepladder of claim 1 in which each of said support legs includes an extension displaceable longitudinally with respect thereto so as to selectively increase and decrease the effective length of the associated support leg and thereby enable the same to accommodate irregular support surfaces, and further including a plurality of fastener means respectively associated with said leg extensions and operative to constrain the same in any position of adjustment thereof.

3. A foldable stepladder or the like, comprising: a step-equipped main frame element and a braceequipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower and to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position for storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements sion in any position of adjustment thereof; tie structure for constraining said leg against both transverse and lateral displacements when said leg is in its outer position; and retainer structure located adjacent one frame element for securing said leg thereto when saidleg is in its retracted position; said tie structure including an arm connected with at least one of said frame elements and engageable with said leg in the outer position thereof to constrain the same as aforesaid; and further including a hinged brace extending between said frame elements and being pivotally secured thereto and cooperatively engageable with said arm in the active position thereof in which it is in engagement with said leg.

4. A foldable stepladder or the like, comprising: a step-equipped main frame element and a braceequipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower end to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position for storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one elongated support leg pivotally related to said frame elements for both lateral and transverse swinging movement; tie structure for constraining said leg against both transverse and lateral displacements when said leg is in its outer position; and retainer structure located adjacent one frame element for securing said leg thereto when said leg is in its retracted position; said tie structure including a depending bracket located intermediate said frame elements and pivotally carried by said hinged stop structure, an arm pivotally supported by said depending bracket and engageable with said leg in the outer position thereof to constrain the same as aforesaid, and further including a hinged brace extending between said frame elements and being pivotally secured thereto and cooperatively engageable with said arm in the active position thereof in which it is in engagement with said leg.

5. A foldable stepladder or the like, comprising: a step-equipped main frame element and a braceequipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower end to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position for storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one elongated support leg pivotally related to said frame elements for both lateral and transverse swinging movement; tie structure for constraining said leg against both transverse and lateral displacements when said leg is in its outer position; retainer structure located adjaintermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one elongated supported leg pivotally related to said frame elements for both lateral and transverse swinging movement and equipped with a longitudinally adjustable extension operative to change the effective length of said leg; fastener means for locking said leg extenprojected downward from the bottom of the leg. 

1. A foldable stepladder of the like, comprising a step-equipped main frame element and a brace-equipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower end to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position of storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof, and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one component movable laterally between inner retracted and outer extended positions and being operative in the latter position thereof to inhibit lateral tipping of said stepladder; said stabilizer structure having a pair of the aforesaid components respectively disposed along the opposite sides of said frame elements and each being movable laterally between inner retracted and outer extended positions and being operative in the latter positions thereof to inhibit lateral tipping of said stepladder in each lateral direction; each of said movable components comprising a support leg pivotally related to said frame elements adjacent the upper end portions thereof both for lateral movement as aforesaid and for transverse swinging movement to position the leg along a plane located generally intermediate said frame elements in the open position thereof; means associated with each of said legs for releasably constraining the same in the inner and outer positions thereof; said means for constraining said movable legs including a pair of retainer structures respectively associated with said legs for securing the same in the retracted positions thereof to one of said frame elements, and further including tie structure connected with said frame elements and having members releasably engageable with said support legs in the outer positions thereof to constrain the same against both transverse and lateral displacements; and said tie structure also including a depending bracket located intermediate said frame elements and pivotally carried by said hinged stop structure; a pair of arms pivotally supported by said depending bracket and respectively engageable with said legs in the outer positions thereof to constrain the same as aforesaid; and said tie structure further including a pair of hinged braces respectively disposed along opposite sides of said frame elements and being pivotally secured thereto and cooperatively engageable with the respectively associated arms in the active positions thereof in which they are in engagement with said legs.
 2. The stepladder of claim 1 in which each of said support legs includes an extension displaceable longitudinally with respect thereto so as to selectively increase and decrease the effective length of the associated support leg and thereby enable the same to accommodate irregular support surfaces, and further including a plurality of fastener means respectively associated with said leg extensions and operative to constrain the same in any position of adjustment thereof.
 3. A foldable stepladder or the like, comprising: a step-equipped main frame element and a brace-equipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower and to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position for storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one elongated supported leg pivotally related to said frame elements for both lateral and transverse swinging movement and equipped with a longitudinally adjustable extension operative to change the effective length of said leg; fastener means for locking said leg extension in any position of adjustment thereof; tie structure for constraining said leg against both transverse and lateral displacements when said leg is in its outer position; and retainer structure located adjacent one frame element for securing said leg thereto when said leg is in its retracted position; said tie structure including an arm connected with at least one of said frame elements and engageable with said leg in the outer position thereof to constrain the same as aforesaid; and further including a hinged brace extending between said frame elements and being pivotally secured thereto and cooperatively engageable with said arm in the active position thereof in which it is in engagement with said leg.
 4. A foldable stepladder or the like, comprising: a step-equipped main frame element and a brace-equipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower end to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position for storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one elongated support leg pivotally related to said frame elements for both lateral and transverse swinging movement; tie structure for constraining said leg against both transverse and lateral displacements when said leg is in its outer position; and retainer structure located adjacent one frame element for securing said leg thereto when said leg is in its retracted position; said tie structure including a depending bracket located intermediate said frame elements and pivotally carried by said hinged stop structure, an arm pivotally supported by said depending bracket and engageable with said leg in the outer position thereof to constrain the same as aforesaid, and further including a hinged brace extending between said frame elements and being pivotally secured thereto and cooperatively engageable with said arm in the active position thereof in which it is in engagement with said leg.
 5. A foldable stepladder or the like, comprising: a step-equipped main frame element and a brace-equipped supporting frame element each adapted at its lower end to stand upon a support surface and being pivotally interconnected adjacent their upper ends for transverse swinging movement between a closed position for storage in which said frame elements are disposed generally adjacent each other from end-to-end thereof and an open position of use in which said lower ends are spaced apart transversely; hinged stop structure operatively connected with said frame elements intermediate their ends to establish the maximum open position thereof; stabilizer structure having at least one elongated support leg pivotally related to said frame elements for both lateral and transverse swinging movement; tie structure for constraining said leg against both transverse and lateral displacements when said leg is in its outer position; retainer structure located adjacent one frame element for securing said leg thereto when said leg is in its retracted position; said movable leg being equipped with a longitudinally adjustable extension operative to change the effective length of said leg; and fastener means for locking said leg extension in any position of adjustment thereof, said fastener means being located above the bottom of said leg a distance in excess of the amount the extension may be projected downward from the bottom of the leg. 